A welcome disruption to Route 209 traffic in Brodheadsville

Friday

Jan 18, 2013 at 12:01 AMJan 18, 2013 at 9:37 AM

Business owners and those who work near the intersection of routes 209 and 715 in Brodheadsville aren't exactly looking forward to all the construction that will take place when the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation carries out a road-widening project there in 2014.

CHAD SMITH

Business owners and those who work near the intersection of routes 209 and 715 in Brodheadsville aren't exactly looking forward to all the construction that will take place when the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation carries out a road-widening project there in 2014.

But business owners and employees say they're willing to endure whatever added tie-ups the construction might create because current traffic conditions around the intersection are barely bearable.

"We welcome the project and whatever it entails. After all, you have to go through the rough to get to the clear," said Erika Dwyer, a hair stylist at A Cut Above, a salon on Route 209 near Route 715.

PennDOT wants to add lanes to routes 209 and 715 at and near the Route 209/715 intersection.

As part of the plan, a new left-turn lane would be added to Route 209 north (toward Sciota) at the 715 intersection. This turning lane would begin near the William H. Kresge Funeral Home, about 160 feet from the actual intersection.

On Route 715, a new northbound (toward Tannersville) lane would be added at the intersection. The lane would run 160 feet from the intersection and ultimately merge into Route 715's current northbound lane.

As it stands, there are often major clogs at the intersection. It is also difficult for motorists to turn into businesses along Route 209.

"Every day I'm scared to make a left into the driveway here to come to work because I always think that someone is going to rear-end me," Dwyer said.

Quintin Wright, owner of One Fish Two Fish, a store that sells fish for aquariums and is on Route 209 near the Route 209/715 intersection, says he is concerned about the construction.

But he believes the positives of the project will ultimately outweigh the negatives.

"Well, you know, to be honest, things aren't always that good for businesses when PennDOT is doing construction to the roads near them — just look at what recently went on over in Marshalls Creek, with PennDOT shutting down a road to fix a bridge. The businesses that were on that road got killed. But these roads here need to be widened. It's a disaster at that (Route 209/715) intersection — it's dangerous," he said.

Wright said that he has seen many fender benders in front of his store and at the intersection of Route 209 and Route 715 — there was even a fatal crash there in 2011.

So, Wright says, "Though it will be a pain, if the project can just prevent one person from getting hurt in a car accident, it will be worth it."

PennDOT plans to start the $2 million project in early 2014 and complete the work by 2015.

It recently displayed the project plans at the Chestnuthill Township building. Residents were able to drop comments in a box and those comments will be reviewed by PennDOT.

If, after reviewing the comments, PennDOT feels there is nothing to hold back the project, it will give it final clearance.

PennDOT hopes to put the project out to bid by the end of this year, said Brian Graver, the PennDOT engineer and manager assigned to the project.